A/N: I loved writing this chapter! lol. I wanted to keep going, but it was getting long and I need to work on other stuff. Still, it was fun and I appreciate any feedback. Thanks for reading!
Siblings
"It was an accident, I swear!" Lory chuckled and lifted a hand, halting the fair-haired man's apologies.
"Please, take a seat, Yashiro-san. I'm not upset with you." Yashiro looked up from his bow and slowly straightened, his eyes hesitant, then walked carefully over to where his boss sat, sitting in a large chair across from his desk. After sitting his briefcase on the floor, he straightened and waited in silence. "Yashiro, it's come to my attention that you've been doing a job that you were not assigned." The man in question cocked his head and frowned.
"Um…sir?"
"You have been doing quite a bit of extra work for Mogami-san." He clarified. "You've only been assigned one charge, Yashiro-san. Who do you want to work for?" Yashiro's eyes widened.
"Ren of course!" He cried. About to start apologizing again, he stopped at his boss's chuckle.
"I'm kidding, Yashiro-san." Lory said gently. "I actually wanted to thank you for all that you've been doing for her. I can't give her a manager just yet, since she is still technically in the Love Me section, but I would greatly appreciate if you continued to take care of her as well. Of course, your paycheck will reflect the added responsibilities you have taken on." He grinned. "She does an excellent job of managing her own schedule, but she sometimes needs a bodyguard if you know what I mean." Yashiro nodded grimly. "Now, we need to talk about a press release."
Kyoko was jerked rudely from sleep by her phone alarm. Stifling a groan, she hurried to shut if off so that it wouldn't bother Ren. "Cain." She reminded herself firmly, pulling Setsuka to the forefront and adjusting her emotions accordingly. 'I can't wake older brother yet. He's probably really tired, and I want him to get some sleep.' She silently sat up and slid her feet over the edge of the bed, not touching the lamp beside her bed. The thick curtains were parted just enough to give the room a ghostly glow, allowing her to see her older brother's large form in the bed a few feet away. Smiling lovingly, she slipped past him and walked over to the closet where some of her clothes were stored. Squinting in the dim light, she picked out a pair of her new short shorts, more because he brother liked them for her than anything else, and one of her new tops, along with her wig. Setsu hurried into the bathroom and made sure the door was firmly shut before turning on the light.
The light burned her eyes for a moment as they adjusted, then she looked at herself in the mirror. She placed the wig on her head and made sure it was firmly in place, pinned carefully so that none of Kyoko's orange hair would show, then ran a brush through her blonde and pink hair, grinning at the highlights her beloved brother had paid for.
After changing into her outfit for the day and brushing her teeth, she grabbed her makeup bag and applied her cosmetics liberally, deliberately choosing colors that would bring out her golden eyes and soft lips, which she had more than once caught Cain staring at. Grinning a little, she coated them with gloss and place a tube of the shiny stuff into her pocket. She would enjoy applying it in front of her brother later, watching his eyes follow her lips hungrily. Smiling in excitement, she placed her lip ring into her bottom lip, then put her earrings into place, attaching a small chain from her bottom ring to her lip piercing. The shiny metal pieces brought her brother's attention to her face. The effects they had on anyone else were lost on her.
She put her cosmetics away and set them aside, not wanting her brother to have to work around them, and placed his toothbrush out for him. Without thinking, she placed toothpaste on the tip for him, carefully setting it beside the sink, and folded his dirty clothes from the night before, leaving the gloves on the counter. Taking all of their dirty clothes with her to the door, she shut off the light, quietly flipped the lock, and stepped into the dim room where her brother hadn't stirred. Checking the clock beside their beds, she placed the clothes in a hamper and shut the door to the laundry nook, then went into the kitchen where she began to make their breakfast in the dark.
An hour before they had to leave, she left the stove for a minute to crouch beside his bed, pressing a kiss on his forehead. "Onii-san." She whispered, shaking his shoulder. He hummed but didn't respond. Grinning, she kissed his cheek and tugged gently on the blankets around his neck. "Onii-san." She spoke in a normal voice. "Come on. You have to get up." He shook his head.
"Kyoko…" He muttered, capturing her hand. Her eyes widened as pain and fear stabbed her heart, jerking her hand away.
"What!" She snarled. His eyes flew open at her tone, understanding and alarm immediately filling his eyes.
"Setsu! What are…" She had already stormed off, tear of betrayal in her eyes as she stood over the stove. "Setsu!" His cried fell on deaf ears as she spooned his breakfast onto a plate and slammed it down on the table, then went back to her own food. Suddenly she was held captive in his embrace, his lips on her head.
"Who is she?" She asked quietly.
Ren grimaced at his mistake as he marveled at the small girl in front of her. 'This is Setsu. What is the matter with me?' Even though it was an innocent mistake, he couldn't believe he couldn't think as Cain at the moment. 'This is pathetic. I should be ashamed to show such pitiful acting to this girl.' It had been the hurt, furious tone in her voice that had shocked him so badly. He thought she may be angry…maybe irritated. But hurt? He couldn't stand to see her hurt, no matter who she was and no matter what caused it. Taking a deep breath, he wrapped his arms around the furious girl, nuzzling the top of her head and kissing her. She blew out a frustrated breath and stilled in his embrace. "I'm sorry." He moved his lips to her ear and kissed the tip, then worked his way down, his lips brushing against metal as he went. "I don't know what I was thinking. I must have been dreaming about some random name." He gently tugged the chain connecting her ear to her lip, barely adding any pressure so as not to hurt her in any way. That was the story of his entire life, being careful never to hurt his beloved sister. Cain moved to her throat and kissed her, smiling at the gasp and how she went rigid in front of him. "Can you ever forgive me?" He whispered against her skin.
She sighed and he smiled, knowing that he had won. "I guess." She finally said, turning in his arms and kissing his cheek.
"Good." He brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for breakfast." She smiled and placed her food on a plate and went to sit across from him. "Did you get enough sleep? You don't have to get up so early to cook for me. I can just pick us up something."
"I like cooking for you." His breath caught when she looked up at him sadly. "Are you going to take away my only joy in life, Onii-san? Are you going to make me stop taking care of you?" His heart fluttered in excitement.
'A worth opponent.' The thought was involuntary, but it was accurate. It had been years since meeting someone who could act on the same level as him, who could make him act a certain way if he wasn't careful. Cain smiled softly, completely pushing Ren out of his way. After all, he wasn't comfortable letting anyone else near his precious sister. "Of course not, Setsu."
Cain sat in the back of the car, his arm casually draped around his sister's back as she leaned her head against his shoulder. For a second he thought about pulling out a cigarette, but he knew that Setsu hated smoke and it would bother her. Suppressing the urge, he glanced at the driver in the mirror who was staring at them in surprise and a bit of worry. Cain rolled his eyes and shook his silent sister gently. "Hey. Don't fall asleep. We're almost there."
"I'm not." She pulled away and grinned up at him. "Are you excited, Cain Onii-san?" The small face so close to his made his heart race in familiar yet forbidden excitement and he grinned back at her, showing her the loving look that he reserved only for her.
"Hardly. I didn't even want to come to Japan, but the boss made me." He closed the distance between their faces, giving her a quick kiss and nearly laughing as the driver's eyes bulged. He resisted the temptation to do it again as he stroked her hair. "Well, at least I got to bring you. Are you sure you don't mind translating?"
"Of course not, Cain Onii-san." They were speaking in soft English, minus her way of addressing him, so Cain was certain the driver couldn't understand, but just to be sure the man kept his eyes off his little sister, he cupped her face and kissed her again, this time letting his lips linger on hers.
'That's right. It's that kind of relationship. So keep your eyes on the road.' She pulled away with a giggle and rested her head on his shoulder.
When they pulled up to the studio, Cain jumped out of the car and helped his little sister out as well, adjusting her top and slipping her purse onto her shoulder, then placing an arm around her. She glanced around at the crowd on the street as they mounted the steps. "Can we go shopping later, Onii-san?" He grinned. His favorite part about his job was the giant sum of money on every paycheck, most of which he lavished upon his willing baby sister.
"Of course." He smiled down at her as they opened the door, squeezing her lovingly. "Maybe when I get off today, we can look around." As the door shut behind them, the director stepped forward and grinned.
"Hello Heel-san! Thank you so much for coming!" Cain frowned irritably. People fell into two categories for him; Setsu and not Setsu. This wasn't Setsu, but it was someone he had to work with. He crouched down a little as Setsu leaned up and whispered in his ear.
"Hello. Thank you for coming." She translated into his ear, despite the fact that he could speak Japanese fairly fluently; he just insisted having her there to translate because he wanted her with him. He nodded at her, then turned and placed his lips against her ear, her hair hiding the fact that he was nibbling on her earlobe before he spoke.
"Tell him that I didn't have a choice, and that I hate Japanese people and their country. It is boring and irritating and their culture is ridiculous. I mean really, what is the point of taking your shoes off every time you step into a building?" She bit back a tiny giggle and smiled sweetly at the director.
"He said that it is his pleasure and that he looks forward to making this movie. Please take care of us." She bowed, albeit a bit clumsily, and Cain nearly laughed aloud at the clever girl, but kept his scowl in place. It wouldn't do for people to think he was friendly.
"Oh…and you are…"
"I'm Setsuka Heel. I'll be translating for Cain Onii-san."
"Ah…so you're his little sister. Nice to meet you." He bowed and she gave a slight bow back. "Well, please follow me and I can introduce you to the rest of the cast." She stepped slightly behind her older brother and followed him into the large room where a few actors and crewmembers sat around. "Everyone, please allow me to introduce you to Heel, Cain, and his little sister and translator, Heel, Setsuka." They sat and the actors formed a small circle as the director began to introduce them.
Setsu moved behind her brother and leaned forward, her lips against his ear as she placed her hand over his ear so no one could see her lips as she spoke and so that they would think she was translating. "Do they really have to introduce everyone to you?" She whispered, then placed a kiss on his ear for revenge. Glancing at his face, she swore when he didn't even crack a smile. Grinning a little at her new challenge, she continued. "It isn't like these people are worth your time. Can't we just get started? You can kill a few people and then we can go home." Giving up on talking when his face was the same, she blew on his ear and nipped at the tip. He cut his eyes over to her, a tiny smile flashing across his face, and then looked forward again. Reveling in her victory, she went back to translating. "And that guy, the one who is trying to look through my shirt, is Murasame Taira."
This got his attention, and he turned to look at the tall man sitting a few chairs away, whose eyes were, in fact, roving over his sister's body. Catching his eye, he gave him a furious glare. 'Don't even think about it.' He placed a hand over his sister's hand and squeezed, sending his message loud and clear. 'Touch her and die.' The man's eyes widened and he looked forward again, paying attention to the director. Cain rolled his eyes and listened again as Setsu continued to talk.
"Thanks. He was bothering me." Cain nodded a little. "The director is going over the new schedule. We can get a copy of that later, but for this week, you're coming in every morning. Um…they're starting with a simple scene….um…stop going on about it already." He fought a smile at the impatience in her voice, knowing that she was eager to see him act. "Page 130." She pulled his script out and placed it on his lap, turning it to the right page. "Then we're going to…another scene. You can understand everything he's saying." He nodded seriously as if she had just revealed something important and fought the urge to pull her into his lap as the director continued to blather. His hand found hers and he stroked it with his thumb, absently massaging the tiny appendage as she moved closer and leaned on his shoulder.
Setsu looked up at the approaching woman and took her brother's hand. "Heel-san? We are ready for you in wardrobe." She knew that he knew exactly what the woman was saying, but she tugged his hand and he leaned down so that she could whisper in his ear.
"Do you think she's pretty?" He grinned and turned to face her, then kissed her forehead, showing his love for her in public for the first time.
"No." He kept it simple, looking into his sister's eyes gently, rubbing a thumb over her cheek. "I think you are, thought." He kissed her cheek, then the other. "Why don't you go sit down for a little bit? This might take a while." She smiled and stepped back as he followed the blushing woman to the dressing room.
Setsuka placed a few coins her brother had given her into the vending machine and surveyed her choices for a moment, then chose water. After purchasing two, she leaned down to get them, pulling them carefully from the machine, then straightened. "Cain Heel? Where in the world was he a street performer?" She stiffened and glanced back at Murasame who was grinning down at her with his hands in his pockets. Tilting her head, she let her arms hand lose by her sides, inwardly cursing her tall boots. She had been walking around a lot during her brother's absence, making sure to stay out of the way as others did simple scenes, and the pains in her feet weren't helping her patience level.
"Did you say something?" She wondered dully, staring at the man who was not her brother and, therefore, not of any importance to her. He grinned.
"Yep, I was wondering if he was really an actor." He stepped closer. "I haven't seen his name in any credits, so he can't be that famous." He leaned down and pointed a finger at her. She looked down at the finger as he spoke, her eyes irritated. "Oh. Maybe he's just someone that works in theater…forgive me. I find that dull. Of course, us Japanese people think that all UK workers are involved in Hollywood, but I guess those second rate…"
'That's enough.' Lifting a hand, she smacked him the face with a bottle, holding it against his face with a cool glare. "Onii-san is not a second rate actor."
"O…onii-san? So…you're siblings! Wow. I thought you were a couple." He grinned, obviously waiting for her to freak out, but Setsu felt heat rise to her cheeks and she glared, looking away.
'What's so wrong with that? I wish…' She shoved the thought away. It wasn't something she wanted to think about. Turning, she walked away, grinning a little when her brother appeared with a scowl.
"Hey! I said, what kind of…" The man's voice trailed off when he caught sight of Cain. Not worried at all by his glare, she approached him and held out a bottle of water.
"You were taking too long." He said simply, scolding her in English. She slid up to his side and opened her bottle carelessly.
"Sorry, Onii-san. This guy kept talking to me and he held me up." She said innocently. He glared past her, placing an arm around her shoulder and holding her close, ignoring Murasame's shocked expression.
"Piece of shit." He snarled, rubbing his little sister's back and then pushing her behind him. "Get too close and I'll rip you to shreds. This is your only warning." With that, he led Setsu to the dressing room. Giggling internally, she followed without a second thought.
Once her mirth had subsided, she began to worry. 'If people know that he doesn't need me…will he make me leave?" She glanced up at Cain who was eating.
"No need to stare, Setsu." He told her playfully. "I'm going to finish." She giggled.
"I know. I was just wondering…"
"About the taste? Your food is always delicious." He told her gently. She smiled. Setsu loved that, the way he would save all of his special expressions for her. But she was still worried.
"Cain…is it okay…that you spoke Japanese?"
"Oh. Don't worry. It's fine." He told her simply. He was about to go on when there was a loud bang on the door. She jumped when the door flew open, admitting a furious Murasame.
"Lunch is over!" He snapped. "Hurry up and go to Studio D. I'll be showing you where to warm up."
Setsu turned to Cain when he tugged on her shirt. "Is this normal? Getting an actor to do the assistant director's job? Kind of demeaning…" She smirked as Murasame started yelling again.
"Hey! You speak Japanese! Just use it! You're going to have to work with the rest of us!"
"And if I refuse?" He asked in threatening Japanese.
"Then...I'll do everything I can to make you!"
Setsu glanced from the corner of her eyes and swallowed when her brother grinned, an expression that made even her skin crawl. "Interesting." He stood. "Why don't you try?"
Setsu glanced over at her brother, arms crossed. His hand was clasping his wrist, and she pushed off the wall where she stood, gently touching his arm. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?" His eyes widened for a moment, and she didn't recognize the expression there. 'Who…who is he?' Setsu wondered briefly, before her brother reappeared, holding out his arm.
"Take it off." He commanded softly. Knowing that her brother only commanded her when he was serious about something, she did as he asked. For a split second, Kyoko reappeared as she realized that his watch was gone. Setsu immediately took charge again when he touched her cheek, placing a strand of hair behind her ear, then stroked her face again, moving from her cheek to her forehead, to her head. "Not put it back on." She shrugged and did so.
"What was that?" She wondered.
"I was trying to pamper you." He said simply, pulling out his contact case. She laughed.
"You're weird, Onii-san." He grinned and held up the case.
"I'm going to go put these on, Setsu."
She nodded. "Okay." He walked over to the men's room and pushed the door open, glancing back in mild surprise when she followed.
"Uh…Setsu?" She leaned against the counter, cocking her head.
"Huh?" He glanced over at the man who emerged from a stall, took one look at the young girl, and paled. Another person emerged and froze as well, then blushed and swallowed. Immediately furious, he took his sister's arm and started to pull her out.
"Cain!" She snapped, jerking away. "Stop it. That hurts!" He stiffened and sighed, wrapping his arms around her reluctant form.
"I'm sorry." He whispered in her ear, taking her arm again and running his thumb up and down the skin. "I don't like how they're looking at you." She glanced over in confusion at the two men starting at them.
"Who cares?" She asked in English, pulling away, still a bit irritated with him. "Just put your contacts in." She crossed her arms and stared at the wall. When he didn't move, she rolled her eyes and faced the two men. "Get out!" She snapped in Japanese. "You're upsetting my brother!" The two men fled in the face of the giant demon and his little helper, praying for their lives, and she smirked at Cain. "Better?" He chuckled and shook his head fondly, removing the lenses in his eyes and looking at her with his bright green ones.
"Yea. Much better." He then placed the new contacts in his eyes, staring at his reflection for a moment.
'Those people…that look down on others…I don't get along with them well.' He thought back to the fight that had made him snap, the blood everywhere….the man grinning down at him, talking about him as if he were some kind of freak. Suddenly a small hand was holding his own.
"Are you okay, Onii-san?" She looked up at him sadly, and Cain pushed Ren away in irritation.
'Stop scaring my sister.' Cain touched her face with a fond smile, his eyes making him look eerie. She giggle at the scary contact lenses. "I'm fine, Setsu. You ready?" She nodded and tugged him out the door.
A/N: So a bit different from the original, but still interesting I hope. Thanks for reading!
